Cameron in Jerusalem: ‘It’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to act’

UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron arrived in Jerusalem on Monday morning where he met with Israel’s President Isaac Herzog as well as German Foreign Minister Baerbock. 

“It’s clear the Israelis are making a decision to ac. We hope they do so in a way that does as little to escalate this as possible,” Cameron said.

Cameron also stressed the need to sanction Iran, saying: “They need to be given a clear unequivocal message by the G7 (countries).”

Herzog said he appreciated their “warm discussion together this morning in Jerusalem. Thank you for both the UK and Germany’s strong stand alongside Israel in the face of the reprehensible attack by Iran. The whole world must work decisively and defiantly against the threat posed by the Iranian regime which is seeking to undermine the stability of the whole region.”

“Israel is unequivocal in its commitment to defending its people. The immediate return home of all the hostages held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza remains for us – and the international community – a top priority, while we continue to advance and dramatically upgrade humanitarian aid to the civilian population,” he added.

Cameron is also expected to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defence Minister Gallant as well as Palestinian officials in Ramallah before he flies back to London this afternoon.

Cameron has Israel not to escalate the conflict with Iran after Tehran and its proxies attacked Israel with 350 missiles and drones on Saturday night.

“If you’re sitting in Israel this morning, you’re thinking quite rightly, we have every right to respond to this, and they do. But we are urging that they shouldn’t escalate,” Cameron told Sky News on Monday.

“I completely understand the frustration the Israelis feel when they look at the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the terrible things they have done all over the world, including the support they give for Hamas. So you can understand the frustration,” he added.

Cameron went on to say that the Iranian attack was “very significant” but a “total failure,” calling it a “double defeat for Iran,” as 99% of the missiles and drones were downed.

“They’ve revealed to the world they are the malign influence in the region prepared to do this,” he said, adding that the UK is also “trying to avoid escalation” after it was revealed that British fighter jets took part in downing some of the drones.